Kim Jong-Un Wears The Same Suit Everyday, Here's Why

Correct me if I'm wrong when I say most of us spend little time (if any) mulling over the fashion choices of Kim Jong-Un.

In fact, you might not have even noticed that the North Korean leader has carved out a signature look which, for the record, is a long black jacket with pinstripes, big buttons down the front, a short stiff collar and matching pants. This varies only slightly when he decides to rotate it in other colours, such as of grey and Army green.

But, why? Is it a penchant for power suits, maybe? Does he find them particularly slimming? Or maybe he just doesn't want to stray from a good thing - I mean, we're all guilty of that.

Image: Getty.Source:Whimn

Well, no. It's none of these things. According Racked, the significance of his go-to outfit runs deeper than the superficial. The suit itself is called a 'Mao suit', made famous by Mao Zedong, a Chinese communist revolutionary who popularised the style when he came into power in 1949. Throughout his reign, the Mao suit became "one of the only acceptable things to wear", according to the BBC.

Yet, it would not be going too far to suggest it has largely dropped off the fashion radar since then. Not though, for Kim - and, he's not the only fan boy, either. The suit, which has steadied itself as symbol of communism, is also worn occasionally by Chinese President Xi Jinping on formal occasions, and was worn previously by other dictators, such as Josef Stalin.

Image: Getty.Source:Whimn

But in Kim's case, the Mao suit might carry even more significance. Namely, a direct reference to his grandfather's legacy and thus, a way to establish himself as a legitimate ruler.

Suk-Young Kim, a professor of Korean culture at UCLA, told Racked it was likely Kim felt he needed to exert his authority, given his rocky road to power - his father died suddenly, and many viewed his two brothers as more fit for the job.

“As a newcomer to this game of thrones, Kim Jong Un had to establish himself as a legitimate leader. And the best way to do that was to link his image directly to that of his grandfather,” Suk-Young said.

Kim II Sung. Image: Getty.Source:Whimn

That pinstriped Mao suit was Kim Sung II's signature look and it appears Kim is embracing it for his own political purposes.

Robert Kelly, a political science professor at Pusan National University in South Korea, added that it could also be striking a balance between establishing North Korea's own identity, while also appearing to be part of the modern world. A symbol of being ready for change while also differentiating North Korea from the rest of the world, with the rest of the Western world's well-tailored suits and bold ties.

Or, he might just find them really flattering.

I can't believe it's not Kim0:27

Singaporeans have been forced to look twice after a man impersonating North Korea's Supreme Leader decided to meet fans at a major public walkway.
The Australian-Chinese impersonator known as 'Howard X' has already made headlines by appearing at other major events including the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
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